2013 buick regal Model Overview

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With a more European-style chassis, the 2013 Buick Regal is not yet the best-selling model in the Buick brand but it is definitely a cornerstone for the market. Sitting just under the LaCrosse and outselling the Verano it has many options that draw in customers and keep them coming back for more. It marries both power and comfort that make it an appealing midsize car with all the standard sedan features and some of the performance specs of the sportier, smaller cars. The 2013 Buick Regal is something that needs to be in the discussion when a looking for performance and size.

New For 2013

The base 182-hp, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine has been dropped. The formerly optional 2.4-liter with eAssist—a battery-powered electric motor that acts like a hybrid to improve fuel economy—is now the base power plant. The turbocharged 220-hp, 2.0-liter is the next step up. The GS, with a 270-hp version of the same turbo four-cylinder, remains at the top and is now available with an automatic or a manual transmission.

Exterior

Looking at the exterior of this vehicle, many would consider it a four-door sports car rather than a midsize car. The sleek, bubble look gives it the feel of the vehicles meant to ride corners like rails, and the color options give the buyer many choices when it comes to just how sporty they want the Buick Regal to look. With four doors and optional upgrades on the tires and rims, the purchaser can really make this midsize car stand out on the road. The windows are angled so there is no glare no matter what the position of the sun, and the small profile helps to keep the heat down but gives plenty of wind should the windows be rolled down.

Interior & Cargo

Comfortably seating five adults, the front features body-hugging bucket seats. The rear seat is a 60-40 split bench so people can still sit in the back even when the trunk pass-through is open for cargo. The eight-way power seats allow both the driver and passenger ultimate comfort. The leather interior is easy to clean and the floor mats can be changed from carpet to rubber depending on the needs of the buyer.

The express open and close sunroof is a nice additional feature that gives the Buick Regal an even sportier feel. It comes standard with SiriusXM/AM/FM stereo and an option of seven speakers or the nine-speaker Harmon/Kardon upgrade for even higher quality sound. Two power outlets and the dual stage unlock makes it easy to open the car even if hands are full, including a trunk popping option on the key ring. The higher level Regal can be upgraded to include a navigation system.

The cargo area sports 14.2 cubic feet, larger than many of the other trunks on the market. With the pass-through, larger items can easily be carried from place to place. The headroom is adequate even in the back, though taller passengers may be more comfortable in the front seat as the curve of the roof can be somewhat limiting.

Safety

Buick has worked hard to make the 2013 Buick Regal as safe, if not safer, as other comparable cars on the market. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes and daytime running lights help to keep passengers safe under the direst circumstances. The seat-mounted airbags coupled with the second-row overhead airbags protect all passengers in the event of an accident. The occupancy sensor makes the front seat safe for anyone—the airbags will not deploy if the passenger is too light. The ignition comes with the PASS-Key III, making the 2013 Buick Regal practically impossible to steal and the tracker system means the car can easily be found if it does go missing.

Driving Experience

There are very few midsize cars on the market that feel sporty, but the handling on the 2013 Buick Regal is sporty. The steering is meant to be responsive and the suspension keeps the vehicle hugging the road even on the sharpest of corners. The ride is not for the faint of heart if a daredevil is driving. For the more typical driver, it is a safe car with a great stopping distance and a decent turn radius. Even if a mistake is made on the road, a quick recovery usually ends with the vehicle being just fine. It can handle being jerked around without fear of flipping, and the driver finds the speed ratio quite adequate if not over-the-top. The 3.6-liter, 303-horsepower V-6 gives the driver plenty of power to work with. There is also a 2.4-liter, 182-horsepower four-cylinder as an option. Both make for quite zippy cars that usually provide enough power for the driver, and then some.

Key Competitors For The 2013 Buick Regal

2013 Buick Regal Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$29,015

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$16,025

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.

Remedy

GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

Units Affected

42904

Recall ID#12V484000 - EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Consequence

If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Remedy

GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

2013 Buick Regal News and Reviews

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